STATEMENT ON RULING OF THE U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT REGARDING TERMS ON U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS

Dr. Mary Frances Berry, Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, issued the following statement regarding the Court of Appeals ruling today:

There is a difference in interpretation between the Commission and the District of Columbia Circuit Court regarding the statute governing terms of Commissioners. We are studying the possibility of appealing the Court's ruling.

Despite the ruling against us, the Commission has won on two important points. First, the Commission preserved its independence and successfully exercised its right to have a voice and to be represented in Court. Secondly, we have always maintained that the dispute on the statute would be settled by the Courts, not by this administration or any administration.

05/09/02

The foregoing left wing radical spin continued to be paid for by our tax dollars.